The Malta Football Association on Tuesday afternoon hosted an event for media representatives and sponsors at the National Football Centre in Ta’ Qali, marking the official start of the new year.

The gathering also formed part of the closing celebrations of the Malta FA’s 125th anniversary, a milestone year that featured a wide range of commemorative initiatives. Among these were Street Football in the City, a special 125th anniversary limited-edition kit, football and futsal festivals, and the Malta FA Jubilee Cup, which concluded last month.

During the event, guests were given the opportunity to explore the newly built National Football Centre (NFC), which was officially inaugurated in September. The visit offered a closer look at the facilities that now serve as the heart of Maltese football’s technical and administrative operations.

National Football Centre

The NFC is a modern, purpose-built complex offering a wide array of facilities, including a 400-seat UEFA Category 1 stadium, a fully equipped medical and sports science area, player relaxation zones, administrative offices, conference facilities and an eatery. The stadium has already hosted several competitive fixtures, such as UEFA Women’s Under-17 and Under-19 European Championship qualifiers, as well as international friendly matches.

Designed as a central hub for football development, the centre has enabled the Malta FA to relocate the operations of its Technical Centre and the logistics of all national teams under one roof, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency across all levels of the game.

The project was realised through funding from the Government of Malta, the National Development and Social Fund, Malta Development Bank, Project Green and UEFA’s Sustainable Infrastructure programme.

The National Football Centre reflects the Malta FA’s long-term vision of building a strong and sustainable foundation for football in Malta. Through state-of-the-art infrastructure and inspiring environments, the NFC aims to support player development, coaching excellence, inclusivity and the overall growth of the sport, both locally and internationally.

Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo highlighted the broader impact of the project, explaining that the centre goes beyond high-level sporting services and facilities.

“The National Football Centre does not only provide top-level sporting infrastructure and sports science facilities, but also delivers social value in areas such as education, performance, health and the economy,” Vassallo said.

He also underlined the importance of sports tourism, noting that the centre will soon begin welcoming foreign teams to Malta for training camps. “This is an investment not only in football, but in the country as a whole,” he added.

Vassallo further stressed the significant investment made by the Malta FA in recent years to modernise club facilities and develop regional stadiums, with over €75 million invested in infrastructure over the past 15 years. Looking ahead, he explained that the next phase involves supporting clubs in transforming into private entities through corporate restructuring, opening the door to local and foreign investment and creating new growth opportunities.

“All this modernisation has reignited the same enthusiasm that guided us 125 years ago. Our objective remains to bring people closer to the game and ensure football is accessible to everyone,” he concluded.

The Malta FA President also reaffirmed the association’s commitment to advancing plans for the modernisation of the National Stadium, while continuing to empower member clubs and ensure sustained investment in Maltese football.